Grappling over ‘Hulk Hogan’

World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. is suing comic-book company Marvel Enterprises Inc. to continue using the “Hulk Hogan” name.

Hulk Hogan, played by Terry Bollea, has been one of World Wrestling’s most popular wrestlers since the 1980s. In 1985, World Wrestling signed a 20-year contract after it was accused by Marvel of infringing on the “Incredible Hulk” comic-book character. The agreement covered the words “Hulk Hogan,” “Hulkamania” and “Hulkster,” according to the lawsuit.

World Wrestling needs clear rights to continue using the Hulk Hogan name because it begins a subscription video-on-demand service that will feature its 75,000-hour library of old wrestling matches. The company is also planning to release videos and DVDs of old matches.

Marvel, which owns Spider-Man and the X-Men characters, contends that World Wrestling must stop using the “Hulk Hogan” name once the licensing contract expires -- which also is in dispute. Marvel says it ended July 9, while World Wrestling says it ends in March.